New-York tribune., 1887-12-11

Above two short pieces Of music which suggest
long train Of reflections, the most of which can be-
left to the reader without suggestion OF comment
Little Josef Tofmann. th' prccOcous Pol Sh lad Is tho
sensation of the hour and hundreds of people in New
York every day discuss the question, i he real
genius I'm music or not?' There IS no way 10 settle
such controversy for IT involves definition Of terms
concerning which many diverse views are held III
genius is infinite capacity for taking pains" It IS
be feared that IlOfmanns case does not ial Withh
the definition Or if IT is true that the things which
are commonly looked upon as the products OF genius
are. in fact they present themselves to The NINA
of the romantic chroniceIs Of smal-bccr merely fruits
patience study and labor, the performances o. The
boy are difficult Of explanation About 10000 people
heard the boy a. the Metropolitan Opera House In tho
three concerts given last week. and their luhilshc"
enthusiasm put III words The con.ichon tn't he
IS a wonder. He Is wonder difficult f explanation
from IT,, point OF view sci by his piano forte Ilayns
alone for at the age Of ten he Is I'm possession OF
capacities physical and Intellectual. The attainment
Of which ia the of ordinary mortals requires yeat5
of laborous application.
There is something here for those learned IN science
I'm its most modern phase TO investigate How cones
1t that the boys hand has just that nice adjustment
of nerves and muscles which requisite for perfect
piano forte playnG7 Why ar thcs" nerves ana
muscles responsive TO the demands Which feeling
and reflection make
Gifts are n,. so pronounced his gifts for rcp'oduc
ton. Tho composition printed above was play S"d and
written down by the lad 1t VIII enable IHE IIE-
rNr's readers 10 consider the question more drlh-
cratcly than IS possible while listening TO his I'm
proviSailons II VIII show, too. the eject when 'h'
progress Of music during the last century has had upon
the prodigy Of today. Perhaps IL VIII suggest The
thought 10 some tLat it IS difficult to b" prodigy
now than II was hundred years ago. for the prodigy
Of to-day must be prccociouS ia the art aS II eAlSt'
because Of the advancement during the intervening
hundred years \ genius Of the calihrc OF Mozart Tie
world IS not likely to again It never saw one
before him. ard therefore # must not le taken rs
measuring rod for The gifts Of other wondcrchdicm
At six wears Of az" Mozart composed the little p"cc
,nlnted above with is graceful melody, II, simple
has, and its exhibition of nice sense Of forn,' which
a century ago Vas a greater essential Ia Music thaH
II is now At ten years Of ago Josef !ofmann tales
Mozart, melody. not knowing iiS origin. treats It Ia
.uousIy dscoycrs a considerable aIprccla on Of Jas
harmonic possibilities se- the variation In the second
raiu and supplies agreeable compcmcnia!
matter The uII,ic must maize lts own argument.
A very great charm about Josef llofmsnn In prlVai"
ife * tla, he Il a Thoroughly natural and unaffected
child No consciousness 81 his genius seems I" OPP
ur.,s him or to prevent MS being jolly litie boy
taking an cnthuastc Interest IN hi, boyish afnnse
ments And he is not by any means always ~IIng
H. leave his toys for tho piano often when MS reg